By far, the best place to be today on Capitol Hill will be on the inside of the House Democratic Caucus, as that party decides who is going to chair the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee.

In one corner is longtime Michigan Congressman John Dingell, who has been the top Democrat on that panel for years.

In the other corner is California Congressman Henry Waxman, who has battled Dingell for years as the second in command.

Waxman has fought hard for tougher fuel economy standards on new cars and trucks.

Dingell has fought hard to protect Detroit.

Waxman wants tougher regulations to combat global warming.

Dingell was so against moves on the issue that Speaker Pelosi set up a special committee just to deal with global warming, so she could cut Dingell out of the process.

The best part about fights like this is that when you go ask a fellow lawmaker to support you, they will tell you 'yes.'

They will also tell the other guy 'yes.'

Often both sides will claim they have the votes to win, but when the members cast their secret ballots, only they know who has been lied to.  Only they know who is backstabbing whom.

For many years, Dingell was an imposing player.  And he used his size to reign in wayward Democrats.

Literally, he would corner another lawmaker and put his arm around that member, almost leaning on them physically.  That's what I always called the "Single Dingell."

Then if he really wanted to put the pressure on you, he would put both arms on you and lean.  Or he would bring another imposing figure like Rep. John Murtha, and the two of them would "lean" on the undecided member.

That's what I call the "Double Dingell."

Now though, Dingell is wheeled around in a wheelchair.  He is not an imposing figure anymore.

My father, who has known Dingell for years, says not to underestimate him, that he will win this battle for the gavel of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

If Dingell doesn't, it means that Nancy Pelosi consolidating power even more in the new Congress.

A real inside the Beltway contest for sure.